Many income investors are aware of the Dividend Achievers, Dividend Champions and Dividend Aristocrats stock lists of dividend growth stocks. These lists typically focus on companies which have raised dividends for at least 10 or 25 years in a row. There exists another list of dividend growth stocks however, every one of which has managed to boost distributions for at least fifty consecutive years. This is particularly interesting, since this period covered several recessions, a few oil shocks and one embargo, a few wars, inflation and a lot of change in the global economy. These companies not only managed to prosper during that tumultuous period, by adapting and embracing change, but also did not forget to reward their loyal shareholders with a dividend raise. For at least 50 consecutive years that is.

In 2012, there were four additions to the list, and no deletions. The list of dividend king companies includes:

Diebold, Incorporated (DBD) provides integrated self-service delivery and security systems and services primarily to the financial, commercial, government, and retail markets worldwide. The company has raised dividends for 59 years in a row. The ten year dividend growth is 5.60%/year. Yield: 3.50% (analysis)

American States Water Company (AWR), together with its subsidiaries, provides water, electric, and contracted services in the United States. The company has raised dividends for 58 years in a row. The ten year dividend growth is 3.80%/year. Yield: 2.80%

Dover Corporation (DOV) manufactures and sells a range of specialized products and components, and provides related services and consumables. The company has raised dividends for 57 years in a row. The ten year dividend growth is 9.40%/year. Yield: 2.10%

Northwest Natural Gas Company (NWN) stores and distributes natural gas primarily in Oregon, Washington, and California. The company has raised dividends for 57 years in a row. The ten year dividend growth is 3.60%/year. Yield: 4.20%

Emerson Electric Co. (NYSE:EMR), a diversified technology company, engages in designing and supplying products and technology, and providing engineering services and solutions to the industrial, commercial, and consumer markets worldwide. The company has raised dividends for 56 years in a row. The ten year dividend growth is 7.50%/year. Yield: 3% (analysis)

Genuine Parts Company (GPC) distributes automotive replacement parts, industrial replacement parts, office products, and electrical/electronic materials in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, and Mexico. The company has raised dividends for 56 years in a row. The ten year dividend growth is 5.30%/year. Yield: 3%(analysis)

Parker Hannifin Corporation (PH) manufactures fluid power systems, electromechanical controls, and related components worldwide. The company has raised dividends for 56 years in a row. The ten year dividend growth is 12.90%/year. Yield: 1.80%

The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG), together with its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacture and sale of a range of branded consumer packaged goods. The company has raised dividends for 56 years in a row. The ten year dividend growth is 10.80%/year. Yield: 3.20% (analysis)

3M Company (NYSE:MMM) operates as a diversified technology company worldwide. The company has raised dividends for 54 years in a row. The ten year dividend growth is 6.60%/year. Yield: 2.40% (analysis)

Vectren Corporation (VVC), through its subsidiaries, provides energy delivery services to residential, commercial, and industrial and other contract customers in Indiana and west central Ohio. The company has raised dividends for 53 years in a row. The ten year dividend growth is 2.80%/year. Yield: 4.60%

Cincinnati Financial Corporation (CINF) engages in the property casualty insurance business in the United States. The company has raised dividends for 52 years in a row. The ten year dividend growth is 7.30%/year. Yield: 3.90%

The four new additions in 2012 include Coca-Cola, Johnson & Johnson, Lancaster Colony and Lowe's.

The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO), a beverage company, engages in the manufacture, marketing, and sale of nonalcoholic beverages worldwide. The company has raised dividends for 50 years in a row. The ten year dividend growth is 9.80%/year. Yield: 2.70% (analysis)

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ), together with its subsidiaries, engages in the research and development, manufacture, and sale of various products in the health care field worldwide. The company has raised dividends for 50 years in a row. The ten year dividend growth is 11.70%/year. Yield: 3.30% (analysis)

Lancaster Colony Corporation (LANC) engages in the manufacture and marketing of consumer products focusing primarily on specialty foods for the retail and foodservice markets in the United States. The company has raised dividends for 50 years in a row. The ten year dividend growth is 6.70%/year. Yield: 2.10%

Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW), together with its subsidiaries, operates as a home improvement retailer. The company has raised dividends for 50 years in a row. The ten year dividend growth is 31.10%/year. Yield: 1.70% (analysis)

The companies which I expect to join the ranks of the dividend kings in 2013 include Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE:CL), Nordson Corporation (NDSN) and Illinois Toolworks (ITW).

The list of dividend kings has been expanding since 2007, despite the financial crisis. Only two companies have been dropped out of the list since then. The companies include Integrys Energy Group (TEG), which has not raised dividends since 2009 and Masco (MAS), which cut them in 2009. Since 2007, the list has outperformed S&P 500 in three out of five years. It is a small sample of years of course, so future results might vary.

Portfolio/Year

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Dividend Kings TR

-18.48%

17.49%

23.31%

3.51%

14.09%

S&P 500 TR

-36.80%

26.36%

15.05%

1.90%

15.99%

Difference

18.32%

-8.87%

8.26%

1.61%

-1.89%

There are 105 dividend champions and 183 dividend contenders. As a result, the achievements of these fifteen companies are no small task. These companies are not buy recommendations. Instead, every dividend investor worth their salt should study each one of these companies in order to identify the characteristics that lead to these long histories of dividend increases. The lessons learned should hopefully pay huge dividends for decades to come.

Disclaimers: GuruFocus.com is not operated by a broker, a dealer, or a registered investment adviser. Under no circumstances does any information posted on GuruFocus.com represent a recommendation to buy or sell a security. The information on this site, and in its related newsletters, is not intended to be, nor does it constitute, investment advice or recommendations. The gurus may buy and sell securities before and after any particular article and report and information herein is published, with respect to the securities discussed in any article and report posted herein. In no event shall GuruFocus.com be liable to any member, guest or third party for any damages of any kind arising out of the use of any content or other material published or available on GuruFocus.com, or relating to the use of, or inability to use, GuruFocus.com or any content, including, without limitation, any investment losses, lost profits, lost opportunity, special, incidental, indirect, consequential or punitive damages. Past performance is a poor indicator of future performance. The information on this site, and in its related newsletters, is not intended to be, nor does it constitute, investment advice or recommendations. The information on this site is in no way guaranteed for completeness, accuracy or in any other way. The gurus listed in this website are not affiliated with GuruFocus.com, LLC.
Stock quotes provided by InterActive Data. Fundamental company data provided by Morningstar, updated daily.